Rolling Stones in Cardiff

The Rolling Stones on Stage at Cardiff
Last Friday* Mr Robot and I went to see the Rolling Stones in Cardiff. I've seen a few classic bands in recent years – ones younger than the Stones – and in most cases the years have taken their toll, especially on the singers' voices. On top of that, I only really know the classic songs from the 1960s and 1970s, plus the occasional hit, so expected the gig to be mostly me thinking, "That sounds good, I wish I knew it."

It wasn't like that at all.

They played all classics, plus a blues cover and a cover of Dylan's 'Like A Rolling Stone'. Note I said "all classics," not "all the classics". If they'd tried to play every great song they'd ever done, we'd probably still be there now. Off the top of my head there was: 'Paint It Black', 'Sympathy For The Devil', 'Brown Sugar', 'You Can't Always Get What You Want', 'Honky Tonk Women', 'Gimme Shelter', 'Midnight Rambler', 'Jumping Jack Flash' and 'Street Fighting Man', and for the first time in a long time 'Get Off Of My Cloud'. (That's one I want played at my cremation, just for the laugh.) I'd have liked 'Ruby Tuesday' or 'She's Like A Rainbow' but... sometimes you get what you need, eh?

The whole band played fantastically, Charlie Watts grinning from ear to ear. (I've always had a soft spot for Charlie, the real bad boy of the Stones, even if Keith Richards got more attention.) But Mick Jagger... never got the appeal when I saw him in clips/music videos, from the 60s till now. But in the flesh he's a constantly moving streak of self belief, with a physique most emo 20-somethings would envy, even today. I cannot begin to imagine how sexy he must've been in his prime, nor how much energy he must've had. And his voice is still great. He did take a break mid-set, when Keef did a couple of songs, but I'm afraid that was my cue to head off to the loo, and judging by the queue at the ladies lots of other women felt the same. We want Mick.

I'll definitely see them again at some point. Mr Robot and I would go because we want to, but my mum also got all wistful as she never saw them back in the day, and they were always one of her favourites (in the 'Beatles or Stones?' argument she's always Team Stones), so we said we'd take her. Then she can experience the brilliance for herself.




*Why is this post so late? Because it was a hellish week. I ended up writing a supplement for one of my mags - over 60 pages in three days, on top of the day job - and then a friend was hospitalised in London so I raced over there on Saturday and the trains were all borked so it was a nightmare. Let's not say any more about last week.

Comments

  1. Aren't they amazing? I used to wonder why people spent so much on Stones tickets, imagining them to be well past their best but, honest to god, they are effin' incredible and Mick Jagger is an absolute god!
    So glad you loved them as much as we did. I see you losing hours trawling for old Stones photos! xxx
    PS Hope your friend is getting better.

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    1. I was SO impressed. I'd cheerfully go and see them again. We actually got given our tickets, so it was a freebie! Bargain or what?

      My friend is out of hospital, but she's a very poorly girl (mental health issues). It's heartbreaking. I'm hoping to drag her to the Vintage Car Boot in August if she's up to it.

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    2. Wow! Best freebie ever! I'd definitely go and see them again, they're amazing.
      I'm sorry to hear about your friend. We'll be trading out of Gilbert so,if you do bring her to the Classic Car Boot, she can sit downn with a cup of tea and some peace and quiet if all gets a bit too much for her. xxx

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  2. Love the idea of you taking your mum to see the Stones-multi-generational fanbase thing. I never liked them (or the Beatles, or the Who-sorry)but I understand why people do.
    Hope your friend is recovering well.

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    1. I just *know* she's going to complain about the sound being too loud. But hopefully she will enjoy it, she's waited long enough to see them.

      I'm glad we have the NHS, that's for sure!

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  3. I am so glad that you enjoyed them, Mim. They sound like they were well worth going to see (although Mick Jagger was never on my radar as someone good looking). I will look out for tickets if they tour again. I have sort of seen them funnily enough. Back in my skint student days (1990) they played St James' Park in Newcastle which has a park right next to it that is super hilly. We all sat up there as you could get a reasonable side view of the stage and could hear really well, we must have been about the same distance away as the back of the stadium. They were good and it was a lovely night. Definitely Team Stones here too. Beggars Banquet and Satanic Majesty's are two of my fave albums. Woo Woo!! :) Xx

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    1. Jagger's not good looking as such, but he has a shedload of charisma that compensates. Bet he was even more hyperactive back in 1990.

      Woo woo!

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  4. I've always loved the Stones & saw them on their "Tattoo You" tour in Los Angeles- they were AMAZING! Love their classics & "She Was Hot" & "Start Me Up" were my anthems of the early 80's.
    Gosh,'81 was the year I saw The Clash too (My 1st concert ever!). The Clash actually came to my little California cowtown on their "Radio Clash" tour!

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    1. Start Me Up was one of their few more 'recent' ones they did.

      You started with The Clash? WHAT A WAY TO BEGIN. My first gig was Motorhead, which I loved.

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  5. How wonderful you went to see them! I would love to see them. They were the soundtrack to my teenage years...

    I bet your mum will be over the moon to go and see them.

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    1. If you get the chance, do go - they're brilliant.

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  6. Even if I'm not a big fan of the Stones (I only love their early stuff), I wouldn't mind going to see them. Isn't Mick amazing? xxx

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